Washington, Dec. 31 -- South Asia analyst Michael Kugelman described late former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia as a "political titan," saying she played a key role in shaping the country's democratic journey and remained a central figure in its politics for decades.

Kugelman said that Zia was a prominent advocate of democracy who stood up to military rule.

He also added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's condolence message and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's decision to attend her funeral signal India's intent to re-engage with Bangladesh amid signs that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) could return to power in the next government.

In an interview with ANI, Kugelman on Wednesday said, "Zia was a political Titan ...